Raiders sign tight end Derek Carrier

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland has agreed to a deal with free-agent tight end Derek Carrier, who will fill the role of the departing Lee Smith. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Get-a-Blocking-Tight-End-to-Replace-Smith-476827413.html

49ers get Giants veteran center Richburg

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ex-Giants center Weston Richburg gets five-year deal to join 49ers. What does that mean for Daniel Kilgore?https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Agree-to-Deal-With-Former-Giants-Center-Richburg-476686033.html

Raiders cut Smith, Newhouse to clear cap space

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders gained salary-cap space by releasing two starters, cornerback Sean Smith and right tackle Marshall Newhouse. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Cut-Smith-Newhouse-to-Create-Salary-Cap-Space-476679033.html

49ers give Goodwin 3-year extension

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, after a breakout year, gets a new deal with 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Reward-Goodwin-With-Contract-Extension-476387203.html

When Condo did his job, nobody noticed

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders will part with long snapper Jon Condo, who gave them 11 years of consistency.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/When-Jon-Condo-Did-His-Job-Nobody-Noticed-476383963.html

What are the Paralympics? Five Paralympians explain what they want the public to know about the upcoming Winter Games

Five Paralympians -- long jumper Lex Gillette, snowboarders Brenna Huckaby and Amy Purdy, biathlete Aaron Pike and alpine skier Stephanie Jallen -- say these are the things they wish the public knew about the Paralympics. My story for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2018/March/07/What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Paralympians-In-The-Words-Of-The-Athletes-Themselves

Raiders need to re-boot playbook

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One analyst says Raiders passing game needs more play-action and more variety. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Passing-Scheme-Needs-a-Re-Boot-in-2018-476264943.html

Dion Lewis could be a 49ers' free-agent target

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Could running back Dion Lewis sign with the 49ers? Some see a link. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Patriots-Dion-Lewis-Could-be-a-Good-Fit-With-49ers-476270013.html

Gruden likely to use Irvin more as a pass rusher

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden wants maximum impact from Bruce Irvin in the pass rush, so will use him in a new role in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-May-Use-Irvin-More-in-the-Pass-Rush-476132373.html

If 49ers want WRs, there will be plenty of free agents

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: There will be a deep group of wide receivers available for the 49ers to choose from when free agency begins. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Could-Benefit-From-Deep-Crop-of-Free-Agent-Receivers-476126233.html

49ers, Raiders will be rivals in pursuit of cornerback

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers, Raiders expected to go head-to-head in bid for Trumaine Johnson. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Raiders-May-Both-Pursue-Rams-Cornerback-476009073.html

After moving to San Diego, Philicia Harris discovered football and a healthy diet

Philicia Harris was a college, multisport athlete, but after graduation, she had no outlet for her competitive spirit. She gained weight and didn't feel good. But once she discovered flag football and learned from her fiancee about eating a healthy, clean diet, she's back to being a dynamo. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-harris-20180305-story.html

NIners see Trent Brown continue to grow

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers aren't making it a priority to sign tackle Trent Brown to an extension this offseason, but they believe he's on track to be terrific. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Want-to-See-Tackle-Trent-Brown-Continue-to-Improve-475833243.html

Raiders GM goes Beast Mode at Combine

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Will the Raiders keep Marshawn Lynch? It seems more likely after GM Reggie McKenzie wears a Beast Mode T-shirt to the NFL Combine. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McKenzie-Goes-Beast-Mode-at-the-Combine-475841963.html

Amy Purdy, many other Paralympians, getting more mainstream media attention for themselves and the Paralympics

Amy Purdy recalls thinking she must be the only amputee snowboarder in the world when she first began. Now, Paralympic athletes such as Purdy are on TV, in commercials and on more televised events than ever before. My story for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2018/March/02/Increased-Interest-In-Paralympic-Games-Shines-A-Light-On-Athletes

McKenzie, Gruden have no worries about Conley

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Gareon Conley's first year was a mess, but the Raiders have no doubts the cornerback will be excellent. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McKenzie-Gruden-Have-High-Hopes-for-Conley-475662183.html

Shanahan: Quest for a tall receiver isn't necessary

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kyle Shanahan had a great tall receiver in Atlanta in Julio Jones, but he says 49ers shouldn't break the bank or ignore other needs just to land a bigger wideout. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-Isnt-Looking-for-Next-Julio-Jones-475666033.html

Grace Talusan is a talented musician who can also hit the high notes on the mat as a two-time national judo champion

As a kid, Grace Talusan wanted to try martial arts, but her father wouldn't allow it, so she focused on music. Now Talusan is a black belt in judo with a pair of national championships. My story on her for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/22618094/grace-talusan-39-two-time-national-champion-judo-master-music-business

Crabtree now likely to stay a Raider

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Michael Crabtree was rumored to be on his way out, but now the Raiders say they plan to keep him. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Further-Review-Crabtree-Likely-to-Remain-a-Raider-475548463.html

Lynch says some pass-rush help already is on roster

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM John Lynch says moving Eli Harold and Pita Taumoepena to new positions can help the pass rush. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Lynch-Says-Harold-Taumoepenu-Can-Help-Pass-Rush-475552553.html